There is a turning point in the way I look at the world and the people that represent our profession’s integrity. That came on January 31st 2000 and the crash of Alaska Airlines flight 261.

While the normal time for the “on sight” phase of an NTSB investigation is approximately 10 days, AMFA’s investigation team spent over one and a half months retrieving the wreckage from the Pacific Ocean.

That became the beginning of a process that has now exceeded two and a half years of hearings, testing, and trips to Washington D.C. for progress meetings and technical reviews.

As Party Coordinator for AMFA’s Go Team, I can’t begin to express the admiration and gratitude I hold for these individuals. They have encountered many challenges and endured.

My deepest thanks to AMFA National and their foresight to follow through on a commitment set forth at our national convention held in Seattle, Washington to the conclusion of our investigation.

The deadline for our Letter of Submission for Probable Cause is August 12th 2002, and the Sunshine Meeting should follow shortly after.

One of the first statements issued by our NTSB Investigator in Charge (IIC) was to remind all parties to the investigation that we were there to determine the cause of the accident, not to represent or promote our individual party’s cause. Sounds like a catch 22, but I feel we came away with a greater respect for the purpose of our participation and represented AMFA in an even more positive way.

Over the past few months I have been involved in answering inquiries involving our participation for the organization of Go Teams from various locals. It will remain my pleasure and privilege to do so, for whoever wishes advice or information. While it is never a pleasant task to be involved in, it is without a doubt, one of the most compelling.

In a perfect world the safety of flight is without question.

The defining line between compliance and complacency is clearly marked.

Safety margins and profit margins are an equal part of corporate culture;

Accountability has a name and a face and reliability is based on a history of proven service.

With the acknowledgment that the FAA’s Air Transport Oversight System (ATOS) lacks experienced inspectors to meet the demands of a rapidly growing industry, and the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) of self disclosure is an after the fact methodology, it comes full circle.

The safety and integrity of our profession lays first and always with ourselves. AMFA’s slogan, “safety in the air begins with quality maintenance on the ground,” never rang more true.

When you’re traveling down life’s highway and look into the rear view mirror you see the road you left behind. Choose the direction you take in life wisely.

If you travel far enough you may cross paths with yourself again someday.

And if you look closely, you can see the fine print at the bottom edge of the mirror. “Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.”

Have a great trip.

David Patrick AMFA Party Coordinator Alaska flight 261